A tense situation unfolded at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Sunday when Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers intercepted a loaded handgun from an airport employee. The 9mm firearm, loaded with eight bullets, was detected among the belongings of a retail shop worker during screening at the security checkpoint as he reported for his shift.

Swift action was taken, with airport police immediately alerted and responding officers confiscating the weapon. The Baltimore man, now identified as a potential insider threat, was cited on firearms charges and had his airport identification badge revoked, effectively terminating his working access to BWI’s secure areas.

TSA’s Federal Security Director for Maryland, Christopher Murgia, lauded the officers’ vigilance in addressing the dangerous breach. “This was a good catch on the part of our TSA officers as it addressed a possible insider threat situation,” Murgia stated. “Similar to passengers, individuals who work at the airport are prohibited from bringing any prohibited items onto the secure side of the checkpoint. We are always on alert for employees who may have possible bad intentions, which could possibly represent a threat to aviation security.”

Beyond losing his airport credentials, the individual now faces potentially financially-ruinous federal civil penalties that could total thousands of dollars for the firearms violation. Murgia emphasized the incident underscores TSA’s unwavering commitment to protecting travelers amid soaring Memorial Day weekend volumes.

“Airports across the country have been extremely busy during the Memorial Day Weekend travel period and our officers have remained vigilant in focusing on their mission,” he said. “We want people to get to their destinations safely and get home safely.”

The firearm represented the 21st such weapon intercepted at BWI checkpoints this year alone, following a troubling 42 gun catches in 2023. As the investigation proceeds, the close call has airport and TSA officials reiterating their zero-tolerance stance against insiders breaching secured areas with prohibited deadly weapons.